FEATURED ETSY SHOP - BROWN'S COUNTRY ORIGINALS

Paper Mache Belsnickel with laying Sheep PM135

(CLICK on item's title above to learn moer about this charming Santa!)

WELCOME, Mike and his charming creations, which he sells through his Etsy shop, BROWN'S COUNTRY ORIGINALS.  Mike designs and creates one-of-a-kind, whimsical paper mache collectibles, with old world style santas being his speciality!  Be sure to pay a visit to BROWN'S COUNTRY ORIGINALS after reading Mike's interview below.  You will surely find yourself smiling as you see all the fun characters!

What led you to start creating your art/craft?

I started making furniture .... I soon realized it took a lot storage space. It was not eay to pack and unpack plus I needed a big truck to haul the furniture to shows. I decided I needed something that took up less space. For years I collected paper mache and chalkware Santa's, so I decided to try and make some myself.  Read various articles on ceating paper mache and chalkware ... experimented with various receipes and finally came up with one that worked for me.


How did you decide what medium you wanted to work with?


For years I collected paper mache and chalkware Santa's, so I decided to try and make some myself.


What aspect of creating your art/craft do you find the most enjoyable?


I enjoy working with the paper mache the most as it allows me to use my imagination.


If you had to choose a fruit OR a vegetable, to describe your art/craft, what would you choose, and why?

The star fruit ... most fruits and vegetables are round or oblong but the star fruit is unique it is star shaped. My work is like the star fruit because it is very unique.


If you had to choose one other medium in which to display your “creativity”, what would that be, and why?


Wood because I love making furniture.

2010 collection - Paper Mache Santa On A Chicken PM247

(CLICK on the item's title above to learn more about this whimsical Santa!)



What message, if any, do you want to convey with your art/craft?


Handmade work is unique and one of kind .... it is not mass produced.


What advice do you have for other artists/crafters?


Try to think out of the box and never get discouraged?


THANKS, Mike, for sharing your wonderful, imaginative creations with all of us.  When looking at them, they take you to a fun, whimsical place! 


To see more of Mike's designs visit the links below.  You just might find a delightful creature you can't live without!

BROWN'S COUNTRY ORIGINALS WEBPAGE

Paper Mache Snowman Head on red Wooden Container PM260

(CLICK on item's title above to learn more about this fun "snowman"!)

FEATURED ETSY SHOP - BROWN'S COUNTRY ORIGINALS - Country Primitives

SANTA BOWL

by Brown's Country Originals

You really must pay a visit to Brown's Country Originals!!  The whimsical, colorful pieces of art in this shop will surely make you smile. Here you will find delightful snowmen, old world Santas, Americana, jewelry,dry flower arrangements and more. It is the perfect time to collect a wonderful, handmade keepsake that can be enjoyed for years and years to come.

Mike and Donna, a husband and wife team, are the artists who operate Brown's Country Originals on Etsy.  Mike said he likes to work with wood, chalkware, clay, oils, water colors and papier mache. Donna works with dried, fresh and artificial flowers, concrete and basket reed.

Let's learn a little bit more about the talent behind these wonderful creations.

What led you to start creating your art/craft?

I started making furniture .... I soon realized it took a lot storage space. It was not eay to pack and unpack plus I needed a big truck to haul the furniture to shows. I decided I needed something that took up less space. For years I collected paper mache and chalkware Santa's, so I decided to try and make some myself.


I read various articles on ceating paper mache and chalkware ... experimented with various receipes and finally came up with one that worked for me.


How did you decide what medium you wanted to work with?


For years I collected paper mache and chalkware Santa's, so I decided to try and make some myself.

What aspect of creating your art/craft do you find the most enjoyable?


I enjoy working with the paper mache the most it allows me to use my imagination.

Oh, what a fun Humpty Dumpty!

If you had to choose a fruit OR a vegetable, to describe your art/craft, what would you choose, and why?

The star fruit ... most fruits and vegetables are round or oblong but the star fruit is unique it is star shaped. My work is like the star fruit because it is very unique.

If you had to choose one other medium in which to display your “creativity”, what would that be, and why?

Wood because I love making furniture.

Country Holly Arrangement

This arrangement is perfect for a teacher, neighbor or friend. The arrangement consists of a new rusty paint can filled with pine greens, pine cones and rusty holly. The arrangement is 10 inches tall by 8 inches wide.

What message, if any, do you want to convey with your art/craft?


Handmade work is unique and one of kind .... it is not mass producted.

What advice do you have for other artists/crafters?


Try to think out of the box and never get discouraged!


Thanks, Mike and Donna for sharing your wonderful creative talents with all of us. 

To learn more about Brown's Country Originals, be sure to take the time to visit the links below.  Charming creations are waiting there for you!

BROWN'S COUNTRY ORIGINALS WEBPAGE

FEATURED ETSY SHOP - SAINT NICHOLAS TOO

Old World Santa Claus Carrying Toy Sack Hand Carved Wood

by Dale

of SAINT NICHOLAS TOO

I'm very happy to have Dale and his Etsy shop, SAINT NICHOLAS TOO as a featured artist here on DZFANTASY.

As you can see from the delightful, handcarved Santa above, Dale's creative talents are used in creating delightful, handcarved, Old World Santas, as well as vintage ornaments, and much, much more!  It is Christmas all year around in his SAINT NICHOLAS TOO shop. When you pay a visit, you will find Victorian style ornaments, Santa candy containers, antique style Santas, so be sure to drop by for a visit.

Let's read Dale's interview below to learn a bit more about how he was motivated to create his wonderful creations.

What led you to start creating your art/craft?

My love for Christmas,Santa Claus and Vintage. Antique and vintage Santas and Christmas ornaments are scarce and hard to find.If you do manage to find them,they are priced out of reach. A few years ago, I decided to try my hand at making antique style Santas and ornaments for my collection. It wasn't long before family and friends began requesting my creations as gifts. My wife suggested I try selling them. I discovered Etsy in 2009.



How did you decide what medium you wanted to work with?


I started carving Santa Claus figures from wood after purchasing a few at Christmas fairs. For my Victorian style ornaments, candy containers and other Santas, I use the same materials and construction methods as were used for the originals. I look at pictures in books and magazines, plus handle original examples whenever possible, and figure out how they were put together. I like to use antique, vintage, salvaged and distressed materials to help achieve the vintage look. I don't strictly copy originals, but use them as my inspiration.

What aspect of creating your art/craft do you find the most enjoyable?

I love the entire process -- from figuring out how to make something to the satisfaction of a job well done. I especially enjoy the actual hands on crafting and working with the materials .

If you had to choose a fruit OR a vegetable to describe your art/craft, what would you choose and why?

A pumpkin. I carve wood.You carve a Jack-O-Lantern, but it's more than that.Pumpkins,J ack-O-Lanterns and Halloween are part of the magic and wonder of childhood. Along with Christmas,they bring back warm nostalgic memories.

If you had to choose one other medium in which to display your "creativity", what would that be and why?

Painting...because I have enjoyed painting and drawing since my childhood. I have also enjoyed print making and pottery.

What message, if any, do you want to convey with your art/craft?

To hold on to your child within.The magic and wonder of Christmas is something you never need grow out of."Yes, Virginia, there is a Santa Claus..," is my motto.I still believe!

What advice do you have for other artists/crafters?

Try new things, new methods and new materials. Enjoy your art/craft.

Victorian Angel Christmas Ornament Paper Tinsel Glass Ball

Thanks, Dale, for a wonderful interview and for sharing your delightful, whimsical creations with all of us.  I agree, we must never lose sight of the "young at heart" that is certainly in all of us!

Treat yourself to a whimsical journey through Dale's, SAINT NICHOLAS TOO SHOP by visiting the links below. Dale also has another shop on Etsy where he sells vintage items. See links below.